3000 gt .. is it worth it??

jonbeling · 10-23-02, 02:03

hey guys im planning on buying a 94' 3000 gt with over 100k miles on it is it worth it for about 5grand. Are there any problems with the trans on the 3000 gt's cause i dont wanna have to spend money on a new trans!?!? thanks

~JON

Jngrbrdman · 10-23-02, 02:25

Is it the VR-4? If it is then its a collectors item and a good deal. 100K is high miles for any car. I would worry more about blowing a head gasket or something like that at 100K miles. I've never heard of them having tranny probs though. My friend's mother has one. Very nice cars.

slowcapri · 10-23-02, 03:56

check the insurance on one of those... youd be suprised how high it may climb, depending on your current driving record. The TT models can run higher than a corvette for insurance!

Nice cars btw

jonbeling · 10-23-02, 05:59

have any of you heard of engine problems or transmission problems after 100k miles??????

thevolvoguy · 10-23-02, 06:35

Check out epinions.com and carreview.com

Those are just a few of the millions of Auto Review sites. Also, check out Consumer Reports, they review all of the problems that many have had with the certain car. I don't see too many of those on the road anymore, that could be a good or a bad thing...

Jngrbrdman · 10-23-02, 06:38

Quote:

Originally posted by jonbeling
have any of you heard of engine problems or transmission problems after 100k miles??????

Didn't my answer count?

bretfraz · 10-23-02, 07:24

If the car has been impeccably maintained and there is a huge stack of receipts to prove it, then it might be OK. Those kind of cars don't see the best of care sometimes as many owners were into their styling and image so they tended to skimp on the TLC. But if it was owned by an enthusiast who got to know the car that will be better.

They are fairly robust cars but are very expensive to repair. Parts are pretty scarce as few cars were built and not too many parts cross over to other Mits models.

Have a mechanic who is familiar with the 3000GT specifically inspect the car inside and out. A smart mechanic will know the weaknesses and can advise you accordingly.

GRT · 10-23-02, 11:39

Quote:

Originally posted by jonbeling
have any of you heard of engine problems or transmission problems after 100k miles??????

In a word, yes. I've heard many many stories of the trannys on the 3000GT vr4's. Actually every person i've ever talked to had problems with them, after 100k miles? how about after 20k miles.
I haven't heard much about tranny issues in the non vr4 models though. Look here for further info http://www.3si.org/ .

Good Luck

Mutilator · 10-24-02, 06:10

GRT beat me to the 3SI site. If the car is a VR4 I would get a carfax report and if possible have one of the guys on 3SI check the car out if they're in your area... they know what to look for and can warn you if they see anything wrong.
If it's a Base or SL model then you're probably in much better shape. There's a couple out there with over 250,000 miles on them and no major problems. My car has about 83,000 miles now and it's an automatic. The 5 speed base/SL models are probably the most reliable... followed by the automatics... then the VR4s.
Just remember that you'll either have to do the 60K maintenance when you buy the car... or at 120K miles if the current owner did the 60K on time. It's expensive though. Expect to pay $1200 for it. (Timing belt, pulleys, belts, plugs, wires, water pump, etc.)

FYI:
91-96 Base model 3000GT - 222HP DOHC - 5 speed or automatic
97-99 Base model 3000GT - 167HP SOHC - 5 speed or automatic
91-99 SL model 3000GT - 222HP DOHC - 5 speed or automatic
91-93 VR4 - 300HP Twin Turbo DOHC - 5 speed
94-99 VR4 - 320HP Twin Turbo DOHC - 6 speed

Jngrbrdman - The only version I would consider a collectors car would be a 95-96 VR4 Spyder hard top convertible.
The rest of the 3000GTs/Dodge Stealths are rare... but I don't know if they're THAT rare.